Certain images can work better in B&W than colour and vice versa. The idea of this thread is for you to upload a colour and B&W version of the same image, tell us which version you prefer and why.
As many of us are trying to improve our B&W’s it would be helpful if you could briefly explain how you processed/converted your image.

Certain images can work better in B&W than colour and vice versa. The idea of this thread is for you to upload a colour and B&W version of the same image, tell us which version you prefer and why.

As many of us are trying to improve our B&W’s it would be helpful if you could briefly explain how you processed/converted your image.

Tunnel vision
[epzimg]twins.jpg[/epzimg]
This is the tunnel that runs under the Thames at Greenwich. This is a 3 shot HDR processed using photomatix and worked and converted to B&W using Photoshop elements v5. When I took the shot it was always going to be a B&W, however once I processed it I really liked the warm tones of the tiles and silver door. For me the colour shot is the stronger image.

Tunnel vision

This is the tunnel that runs under the Thames at Greenwich. This is a 3 shot HDR processed using photomatix and worked and converted to B&W using Photoshop elements v5. When I took the shot it was always going to be a B&W, however once I processed it I really liked the warm tones of the tiles and silver door. For me the colour shot is the stronger image.

Personally I prefer the B&W but that is probably because the other actually seems more a sepia toned image than colour and I am almost never a fan of sepia toning. The impact of the mono certainly comes across more on my screen.

Personally I prefer the B&W but that is probably because the other actually seems more a sepia toned image than colour and I am almost never a fan of sepia toning. The impact of the mono certainly comes across more on my screen.

This is a restaurant in Carcassone.
Whilst the colour image could be tweaked to look OK, to me it cries out for mono. Mainly due to the textures and tones which I feel are a bit lost in colour.Although the warmth of the stone could be enhanced.
Processed in Lightroom 3 with mid tones and contrast increased and a vignette applied. [epzimg]chez-saska-colour.jpg[/epzimg][epzimg]chez-saskia3.jpg[/epzimg]

This is a restaurant in Carcassone.
Whilst the colour image could be tweaked to look OK, to me it cries out for mono. Mainly due to the textures and tones which I feel are a bit lost in colour.Although the warmth of the stone could be enhanced.
Processed in Lightroom 3 with mid tones and contrast increased and a vignette applied.

These are from a recent shoot, whilst i like the colour version i truly prefer the B&W. B&W seems to give a picture more meaning or more mystery, perhaps it's because i'm old and can remember when everything was in B&W??
[epzimg]5s1k0811bwds.jpg[/epzimg][epzimg]5s1k0811ds.jpg[/epzimg]

These are from a recent shoot, whilst i like the colour version i truly prefer the B&W. B&W seems to give a picture more meaning or more mystery, perhaps it's because i'm old and can remember when everything was in B&W??

FWIW, one of the main themes of my website is to promote monochrome by allowing people to compare it to the colour versions. Colour in the left galleries, mono in the right.
[link=http://www.simonluptonphotography.co.uk/][b]Linky[/b][/link]

FWIW, one of the main themes of my website is to promote monochrome by allowing people to compare it to the colour versions. Colour in the left galleries, mono in the right.

Thanks Malcom
[quote]one of the main themes of my website is to promote monochrome by allowing people to compare it to the colour versions[/quote]
I'm never really sure whether that's a good idea or not and I mean no disrespect to yourself when I say that. I don't know how you feel but I have found that when it comes down to sales if I give the client too much choice by showcasing the shoot in colour & B&W then it actually confuses them and I seem to get less orders from it, where as if I just choose which ones to showcase in B&W or Colour the picking process seems to go a lot better. Does anyone else have that same problem or is it just me??

Thanks Malcom

Quote:one of the main themes of my website is to promote monochrome by allowing people to compare it to the colour versions

I'm never really sure whether that's a good idea or not and I mean no disrespect to yourself when I say that. I don't know how you feel but I have found that when it comes down to sales if I give the client too much choice by showcasing the shoot in colour & B&W then it actually confuses them and I seem to get less orders from it, where as if I just choose which ones to showcase in B&W or Colour the picking process seems to go a lot better. Does anyone else have that same problem or is it just me??

Anchor Mill
[epzimg]twins-2.jpg[/epzimg]
Anchor Mill, in paisley, renfrewshire. This is a 3 shot HDR processed using photomatix and worked and converted to B&W using Photoshop elements v5. I like both versions but prefer the building in colour but the waterfalls and stone in B&W

Anchor Mill

Anchor Mill, in paisley, renfrewshire. This is a 3 shot HDR processed using photomatix and worked and converted to B&W using Photoshop elements v5. I like both versions but prefer the building in colour but the waterfalls and stone in B&W

[quote]I'm never really sure whether that's a good idea or not and I mean no disrespect to yourself when I say that. I don't know how you feel but I have found that when it comes down to sales if I give the client too much choice by showcasing the shoot in colour & B&W then it actually confuses them and I seem to get less orders from it, where as if I just choose which ones to showcase in B&W or Colour the picking process seems to go a lot better. Does anyone else have that same problem or is it just me??[/quote]
James,
In my case, I don't sell my pictures but it's been my experience that when you ask someone whether they prefer one or the other they very, very rarely look confused and can't decide :o)
Most people have a definite opinion on the subject and you're gonna hear it - especially if you've asked for it

Quote:I'm never really sure whether that's a good idea or not and I mean no disrespect to yourself when I say that. I don't know how you feel but I have found that when it comes down to sales if I give the client too much choice by showcasing the shoot in colour & B&W then it actually confuses them and I seem to get less orders from it, where as if I just choose which ones to showcase in B&W or Colour the picking process seems to go a lot better. Does anyone else have that same problem or is it just me??

James,

In my case, I don't sell my pictures but it's been my experience that when you ask someone whether they prefer one or the other they very, very rarely look confused and can't decide :o)

Most people have a definite opinion on the subject and you're gonna hear it - especially if you've asked for it